NAIROBI, Kenya – Protests erupted in parts of Nairobi on Wednesday as Kenyans, led largely by Gen Z youth, took to the streets to mark the first anniversary of the deadly anti-Finance Bill demonstrations of 2024.
In the capital’s Central Business District (CBD), police fired tear gas to disperse early-morning crowds that had begun gathering along Kenyatta Avenue.
The air was thick with tension as officers moved in swiftly to contain groups of demonstrators before their numbers could swell.
Several roads into the CBD were barricaded, forcing residents to walk long distances into the city. With vehicles barred from entering key parts of the capital, the usually bustling city centre was eerily quiet.
Most businesses remained shuttered, and the few who braved the streets moved cautiously through the near-empty lanes.
Meanwhile, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka led a section of opposition leaders to Parliament Road, where they laid wreaths and lit candles in remembrance of young protesters who lost their lives during last year’s protests. The ceremony proceeded without incident, despite the heavy police presence.
“Today, we just want to remember these young people,” Kalonzo said. “Even if we are denied access to Parliament, this day must be properly commemorated as a national holiday in the future.”
Additionally, tensions simmered outside the capital. In Kinoo, Kiambu County, police responded to a bonfire lit in the middle of the road at the busy Mama Ngina stage.
The burning heap caused a temporary disruption in traffic as vehicles struggled to manoeuvre past the flames. Authorities quickly extinguished the fire, blaming “unknown individuals” for the incident.
In Kisumu, a city known for its active protest culture, the streets were noticeably quiet.
Shops opened slowly and foot traffic remained light amid heightened police patrols. Organisers had expected large turnouts, but the mood remained subdued in the early hours.
Across the country, security forces were on high alert in anticipation of the Gen Z-led demonstrations, which are aimed at demanding justice for protest-related deaths and accountability over government policies.
The youth-led movement has gained traction over the past year, symbolising a generational shift in civic engagement and political consciousness.
With protests expected to intensify throughout the day, authorities have urged calm and restraint, while demonstrators insist that their movement will remain peaceful but persistent.
